Did you read the first words I wrote? I grew up and lived in a metric country. I didn’t know imperial at all.

I grew up with metric and moved to an imperial country as an adult. I now have a different view of the systems and honestly prefer imperial. Hear me out.

Imperial organically evolved over centuries to better match the lived human experience. The major units used now are more useful to the average person. The fact they are not base 10 is due to the fact that the main uses for each aren’t related in that way.

For temperature, 1 degree Fahrenheit is the minimum I can feel. 50 F is a middle temperature outdoors for many temperate climates: 0 F is very cold and 100 F is very hot. The temperature at which water boils or freezes at sea level is not as useful to my daily experience and the difference in a degree Celsius is too large.

I like inches, yards, and miles. I prefer ounces and pounds. Pints, quarts, and gallons now make more sense to me. I am not a scientist or engineer (who absolitely should use metric), but a guy trying to deal with weather, get places, and buy things to eat/drink.

Of course, if I learned an aircraft type was designed in imperial only, I wouldn’t get on it. Metric has its purpose. It’s just not as good for daily life.

My friend was committed, but it helped that it was not uncommon for larger endowed teens where I grew up. Doctors openly discussed the option and it was covered by government health insurance.

I can sympathize with the difficulty of finding the right size. It wasn’t until my wife traveled to her country of ancestry and measured at a department store in her 20s that she finally obtained her first bras that truly fit. They still weren’t cheap. I think that is when I learned the burden of what is, for most, a medical support garment.

And that is what I find so frustrating. Bras should be treated like a medical device: basic models that fit well should be covered by government health care. The 200-400% markup in most prices is outrageous, and there would be a positive return for society with women more confident in more activities.

Of course, I live in the United States, so we’ve regressed to the point of figuring out whether dying of communicable diseases is bad.

I’m sorry you gave up exercise because of this. Female friends telling me the same is what inspired me to write the response. One was an amazing long distance runner who had breast reduction surgery in high school so she could continue her passion.

Sports bras are a necessary evil for many women. It’s not a societal restriction but a physical preference for less discomfort.

In much of Europe and North America, female toplessness is legal. As for why women don’t take advantage of it when exercising, breast movement varies from annoyance to uncomfortable and throwing off momentum depending upon size. As a result, many women exercise wearing what is most convenient: a sports-bra top. However, concerns about harassment are sadly valid.

Women are the majority of voting age adults, but they aren’t a homogeneous group voting exclusively on gender. 45% of women voted for Trump in 2024.

As a male who exercises in high heat on occasion (35-38c), I have never once thought that I’d rather be naked. I wear breathable, light colored clothing. I also wear a top. Sun burns aren’t healthy.

No.

In the United States, for example, by age 45 women are the majority and remain so. As infants and children cannot vote, women also form most eligible voters.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of decades of funding Russian genocide in exchange for cheap natural gas.

Used electric cars are some of the cheapest you can buy with the lowest total cost of ownership. If you have to drive, at least spare yourself the awful experience, cost, and pollution of gas stations.

This mirrors my experience.

I was determined to have an IQ of 139 at age eight by a school psychologist. I was educated in a special program, attended an Ivy League university in the US, finished graduate school in the top 1% of my class, and work a well compensated job I dislike and will leave shortly.

To answer the main question, I find it isolating and a bit scary right now, but also stress-relieving.

I cannot connect with the average person though I really like some for their kindness. This is because I have a different lived experience. I consume different media. I don’t have their problems (money, vices, romantic instability, political agitation). I dislike how populism and hatred are rising, and am concerned that we are ignoring real issues (climate change, deficit spending, pollution) for fake ones (immigrants, “woke” culture, crime). At the same time, I wealthy by any objective standard, don’t have to work, and follow most medical guidelines (little exercise due to work schedule) so weigh an appropriate amount and am in good health.

I will acquire the book you recommend. My read French is decent. I have thought little about my IQ and perhaps should.

I thought Trump announced a plan of genocide to allow for his fantasy of bearded belly-dancers per the video he posted.